With regards to current furore over the Penang International Convention Centre (PICC), where is the market study, cash flow estimates and economic impact analysis for this mega-projecy? No information whatsoever regarding physical site inspections?

Any analysis of local and regional economic and demographic information? Any discussion with regional hotel/conference center operators? Has there been there any gathering and compilation of data from national convention industry research firms and publications?

Without analyses that are based on estimates, research and knowledge of the industry, how on earth is the public and Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) going to comment and participate in the decision-making?

We need to see the financial analyses and forecast for this PICC project. What are the legal, engineering and regulatory requirements applicable to the project including zoning and other state and local government regulations, permits and licenses?

Is there any effort being made to determine the possible effect of the project on present and future federal and state legislation including environmental or ecological matters and compliance with Saliran Mesra Alam manual or its interpretation thereof?

We need to know all the market demand analyses, the cash flow estimates, the economic impact analyses, the potential impact of any sharp rise or decline in the local economy and general economic conditions all to see whether the project is viable or not.

Without all this information how did the state government come to the decision to direct the MPPP to build the PICC? We need the state government to conduct market studies based on the following methods:

1. Identify local and regional competitive and comparable convention centers throughout the nation

2. Identify and interview sources of demand

3. Identify and characterise samples of potential users of convention facilities in the nation and neighboring nations.

4. Interview and gather relevant data from various government entities and research firms and publications.

The Penang state government also needs to analyse potential market support. Is there any upscale, full service, chain-affiliated hotel with sufficient guest rooms and more than adequate meeting space in the neighborhood?

There are other convention centers elsewhere so what makes Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng think that with this new convention center, more exhibitions will be held in Penang? Dubai has the best but is on the edge of bankruptcy.

The world is still holding its breath in anticipation of the upcoming financial crisis in the backdrop of Dubai’s financial woes. Why should we hurry to commit ourselves to a project we may not be able to afford when we can’t foresee into the near future of the world’s financial health?